hammond



(No Model.)

W. F. HAMMOND. SAM-PLBDISPLAY CASE. No. 575,348. Patented Jam 19, 1897.

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VILLIAM F. HAMMOND, OF KANSAS OITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO MARY M. HAMMOND, OF SAllIE PLACE.

SAM PLE-DISPLAY CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 575,348, dated January 19, 1897.

Application filed November l5, 1895. Serial No. 569,037. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Beit known that I, WILLIAM F. HAMMOND, of Kansas Oity, Jackson county, Missouri, have invented certain new and ,useful Improvements in Sample -Display Cases, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to sample-display cases. The majority of sample-cases at present in use, for the display of confections in particular, consist of a grip of the telescopic type containing a number of superimposed trays for the goods. To display the samples, the grip must be rst unstrapped and then the trays must be lifted out and spread upon a counter or other convenient resting-place. The objectionable features of these grips are thus apparent. The agent must use up considerable time (both his and the merchants) in preparation for the display of his goods, and he must have considerable space whereon to place his trays that the goods may show to the best advantage.

The object of my invention is to overcome 'these objectionable features by providing1 a case of such construction that immediately it is opened all the samples it contains are under observation, so that practically only a moments time is consumed in exposing the samples or in shutting them from sight by closing the case, and no valuable space is needed in the display, as the case can be opened as conveniently upon ones lap as upon a counter.

To this end the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, I will proceed to describe it with reference to the accompanying drawings, in `which- 4 Figure l represents a perspective view of a sample-case constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 represents a similar view, which shows the case partly open in full lines and entirely open in dotted lines. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view to illustrate more clearly the relative positions of and the connection between a series of trays and the actuating-lever for maintaining them at all. times in a horizontal position.

In the said drawings, l designates a case of rectangular form, which is constructed as follows: that is to say, 2 designatesfthe bottom or base, and 3 designates a pair of opposing sections, which conjointlyand with the bottom or base 2 form the complete case. Said sections comprise sides which are hinged at their lower margins, as at et, at the side margins of the bottom 2, the end flanges 5, and the top iianges G. The said flanges project inwardly from their respective sides, and the joint between them is covered by means of the inverted-U-shaped strap 7, which is secured by rivets or in any other suitable manner to one section and projects beyond the inner margin thereof, that it may overlap the other section when the case is closed, as shown clearly in Figs. l and 2. Secured to the horizontal portion of said metallic strap is a handle S, of any suitable or preferred form, and 9 designates an ordinary snap-lock for securing the sections in their closed positions.

10 designates a series of trays which nearly inl width and length equal the case. Said trays are pivotally mounted midway of their width and near their lower margins upon the longitudinal pins 1l, which project inwardly from the iianges 5 of the case. The trays of one side or section of the case occupy different horizontal planes when the case is closed from those in the other side or section, so that when the case is closed they may overlap or be superimposed with reference to each other, the trays of one section projecting into the 'opposite section, -as shown clearly in Fig. 2.

In order to maintain these trays always in a horizontal plane, I provide the metallic bars or rods l2, the body portion of which is arranged parallel with and slightly inward of the-inner margins of the flanges 5 and of the axes of the trays, as shown, and projectinginwardly from said bars are arms which are provided with pivot-pins 13, which extend parallel with the axes of and into the holes or apertures in the ends of the trays above and inward (with IOC respect to the case) of their centers. Below each series of trays thus linked together said rods are preferably bent or stepped, as shown at 14, in order to bring theirlower ends, which are pivoted, as at 15 or in any other suitable manner, within such distance of the hingepoints et of the sections that the relative distances between the hinges and the pivots 15 and between the axes of the trays and the pivots 13 will always be maintained, so that as the case is opened the trays will in effect rotate on their axes in order to maintain their horizontal position at the same time that their relative positions with the sections vary. This is illustrated clearly in Fig. 3. The trays are preferably mounted detachably upon their axes, so that they may be easily removed from position when desired. This is accomplished by providing at one end the hole 10 to receive one axle or pin and at the other end simply a slot, as shown at 10b, to receive the other axle or pin. Therefore it is apparent, owing to the fact that the levers 12 are only employed at one end, that by lifting the slotted end of the tray slightlyit can be easily disengaged from the axle or pin below and slipped from the pin or axle at the opposite end, and may be replaced a's easily. If desired to greatly increase the capacity of the case without increasing its size at all, except in depth, I may employ a third series of trays 16, as illustrated. These trays are provided with holes 17 in their bottom, into which protrude the upwardly-projecting pins 1S of one series of trays 10, upon which the trays 16 rest, as shown clearly in the drawings, or I may still further increase the capacity by using an additional series of trays upon each series 10. These variations in the number of series employed being merely a question of proportion in the construction of the case and not of invention, it is apparent that but very little waste space need be provided for the trays, owing to the fact that, as they always maintain a horizontal position, very little clearance is needed, and they in effect slide upon each other and iit so snugly together that they are nearly in contact with each other. The liner the adjustment of course the more necessary it is that the sections be opened and closed synchronously and not one independent of the other, though if considerable clearance is allowed they may be so manipulated. These trays may be partitioned ofi' or subdivided in any convenient or suitable manner, as illustrated in Fig. et, to show the goods to the best advantage, and may be employed to advantage not only in exhibiting samples of candies, but also buttons and a great many other articles. I contemplate also manufacturing these cases of much greater width in proportion to the height than is here illustrated, and such cases will be found of incomparable use as tourists trunks. In the practical construction ot' the case more or less space must necessarily be left above the base or bottom 2, and to utilize the same I mount thereon one or more additional stationary trays 19, as shown.

It is to be understood,of course,that changes in the detail construction and arrangement will not be a departure from the spirit and scope or sacrifice any of the advantages of my invention.

From the above description it will be apparent that I have produced a case of the character described which will be found of incomparable service in many connections, and which combines economy of space with simplicity, strength, durability, and inexpensiveness of construction.

IIaving thus described the invention, what I cla-im as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A sample-display case, comprising a base or bottom, and two opposing sections, hinged at their lower margins to said bottom orbase, a series of horizontal trays mounted pivotally in each section and projecting into the opposing sections so as to overlap or be superimposed with relation to each other when the case is closed, levers pivotally linking each series of trays together, and hinged or pivoted at their lower ends to the base or bottom, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. Asample-display case, comprising abase and a pair of opposing sections hinged at their lower margins to said base, pins or axles projecting longitudinally inward of said sections,trays rotatably and detachably mounted upon said pins or axles, levers hinged at their lower ends to the bottom and pivotally connected each to a series of trays above and inward (with respect to the case) of their axes, and a series of auxiliary trays detachably mounted upon one of said first-mentioned series, and additional trays mounted upon the base between said sections, substantially as set forth.

3. A sample-display case, comprising a base or bottom, and two opposing sections hinged at their lower margins to said bottom or base, a series of horizontal trays mounted pivotally in each section and projecting into the opposing section so as to overlap or be superimposed with relation to each other when the case is closed, levers pivotally linking each series of trays together and hinged orpivoted at their lower ends to the base or bottom, a strap secured marginally to one section and bridging the joint between the same and the other section when the case is closed, a handle secured to said strap, and a lock for securing the sections in their closed positions, substantially as shown and described.

Intestimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

l/VILLIAM F. IIAMMONI). 1V itnesses G. Y. THORPE, M. R. REMLEY.

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